Ezana

Ezana (born in 325 and died in 356) becomes king of Aksoum in 330. It is the son of Ella-Amida.

Minor with his advent, Ezana (እዛና in Amharique) reign initially under the Regency of his/her mother. His/her father leaves him as advisers the two young Christians of origin Syria, Frumentius and Aedesius, brought at one time in the country by a shipwreck. Those found in Aksoum a Christian community gréco-Syrian woman.

The military campaigns of Ezana are known by the steles which it set up in Aksoum. The purpose of they are defense of the territory, the unification of Ethiopia and the protection of the transportation routes. Although its titulature mentions its suzerainty on Himyar, Sheba and Raïdân, it does not intervene with the Yemen. It restores the order in the Tigré by punishing the Aguézat, the Agabo and of the less important people of which it undoubtedly ensures the assimilation. It also intervenes against the Bédja, and goes in Nubie to the confluence of the the Nile and the Atbara where it sets up a stele of victory.

Between 341 and 346, Frumentius converts with Christianity king Ezana who is baptized under the name of Abraha, his brother Saizanas takes that of Atsabaha.

Latest of the inscriptions which pay successes of king Ezana are not dedicated any more to Mahrem, god of the war, but with the Lord of the Sky and the Earth, which announces Christianity. The last steles are not written any more in Greek or Sabéen, but in antiquated Guèze, which for the first time since the currencies of the king Ouazeb Ier, is attested in the official use.

With died of Ezana in 390, Aksoum is with the apogee of its power: according to the Byzantine authors, it is in connection with Constantinople, the Perse, the India and Ceylon. Its embassies enable him to make release in Persia an imprisoned bishop. It trades by the Red Sea, the roads of caravans going up of Egypt or on the basis of the Yemen towards the Mésopotamie. It exports emerald S come from the cataracts of the Nile (country of the Blemmyes), spice S, Encens and breakage at fifty days of Adoulis, oxen, iron and salt from the Agao of the country of Sasou, beyond the Lac Tanned.

The successors of Ezana are known by their currencies: Ouazeb II, Eôn, Alalmisyisis, Ousas, Caleb, legendary conqueror, his Israel son, Mahwys, Yoël, Armah (of which the portraits show a fast decline), Ghersem and Hataz (who summarily imitate the Byzantine currencies of VIIe century).

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